Career Development

Interview Skills

Preparing for an interview is a critical component of a job or internship search. The key to successful interviewing is knowing who you are and knowing the organization with which you are interviewing. To prepare for any interview, you should:

Do a Self-Evaluation - Know what you are looking for in a position by evaluating your values, interests, skills and abilities. Know why you want to work for each company you are interviewing with.

Research the Organization -Before going to an interview, you want to learn more about the organization, specific department, and industry trends. You can find company information on the web, through the news, or from people who work there.

Prepare and Practice - Review sample questions you might be asked and think about strategies to answer them. Consider questions you can ask the interviewer as well.

Schedule a Mock Interview - Contact the CDC to meet with one of our professional staff members to help you sharpen your interviewing skills when applying to graduate school, for an internship or a full-time employment opportunity.

Dress for Success - First impressions are extremely important to employers. Make sure you dress appropriately for the industry in which you want to work or intern.

Communicate Professionally- Practice making good eye contact with the interviewer and offer a firm but comfortable hand shake. Listen carefully so you can respond appropriately to questions asked. Give the interviewer enough information to fully answer the questions without rambling or going off on tangents. Follow up with a thank-you note to show your appreciation for the interview.